NORMAN, Okla.-- The Sooners open the 2008 season under first year head coach Nicole Nelson on the road at Colorado College (Conference USA) on Friday, Aug. 22. The game is slated for a 4 p.m. start at Stewart Field in Colorado Springs. The contest also marks the opener for the Tigers.

ON THE WORLD WIDE WEBFans can follow the action live from Colorado Springs this Friday on the internet with live stats and video on CCTigers.com. The live stats are available for free and a $7 fee is required to access the live webcast.

ABOUT THE TIGERSNelson Previews Colorado CollegeColorado College is led by head coach Geoff Bennett who after four years at the Tigers’ helm has compiled a 41-25-9 record. CC was 10-6-3 overall in 2007 and finished fourth in Conference USA with a 5-3-1 mark.

The Tigers were picked to finish third in the conference this season behind Memphis and Central Florida. In addition, for the second consecutive season, Tigers Emily Beans and Molly Uyenishi have been named the Preseason C-USA Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively.

In Colorado College’s previous 23 years in Division I soccer, it has advanced to nine NCAA Tournaments. The Tigers have also appeared in five national semifinals and played in the National Championship game in 1986 and 1989.

THE SERIESDespite both playing in the central region of the country, Oklahoma and Colorado College have only met on one other occasion. The Tigers topped the Sooners, 2-1, in double overtime on Sept. 3, 2000 in Albuquerque, N.M.

SOONERS IN SEASON OPENERSOklahoma is 5-1-1 in the last seven season openers. The only loss in that span came in 2006 when it dropped a 1-0 decision at Washington. The tie occurred in 2004 against Saint Louis in Norman. OU is 6-5-1 lifetime in the first game of the year, including a 4-5 mark away from home.

NEXT WEEKENDOU returns home to host a pair of opponents from the Mid American Conference. On Friday, Aug. 29, the Sooners will entertain Central Michigan at 7 p.m. at John Crain Field. The first 250 fans will receive OU 2008 Schedule t-shirts and soccer posters will also be available.

On Sunday, Aug. 31, OU welcomes Ball State for a 1 p.m. contest. Sunday's game features free admission and the first 500 fans receive OU soccer schedule magnets. Kids also eat free on Sundays.

Click here for a complete list of promotions this season.EXHIBITION WINThe Sooners defeated visiting Stephen F. Austin, 1-0, in exhibition play on Friday, Aug. 15 at John Crain Field. Sophomore Kelsey Allison delivered the game-winning goal in the 47th minute and led the Sooners with eight of the squad’s 22 shots in the game. Sophomores Whitney Palmer and Sage Coralli, a transfer from Pepperdine, tallied three shots apiece.

Redshirt freshman Lisa Jett, a transfer from UCLA, helped anchor the OU defense in the shutout. Jett made four saves in the contest. In addition to Jett and Coralli, Nelson started two other newcomers with freshmen Kelsey Kraft and Michelle Alexander on defense and in the midfield, respectively.

YOUTHFUL SOONERSOnly five upper classmen can be found on this year’s roster as three seniors (Katie Corbitt, Traci Dickenson and Helen Ajufo) and two juniors (Ashley Farrand and Kate Marr) will look to lead a young squad. Despite the lack of juniors and seniors, OU returns 14 sophomores, five of which saw significant playing time in 2007 and scored 22 of the team’s 30 goals.

NEW IN 2008A talented recruiting class joins the returners, including two Division I transfers Lisa Jett (UCLA) and Sage Coralli (Pepperdine). The remaining freshman class is made up of Michelle Alexander, Danielle Digeralamo, Abbey Golliher, Kelsey Kraft, Jordan King and Jordan White.

2008 BIG 12 PRESEASON COACHES POLLTexas was picked to win the 2008 Big 12 soccer championship in a preseason vote of league head coaches. The Sooners were tabbed ninth after finishing in that same spot a year ago.

The Longhorns received five of 11 first place votes (coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team or players) and totaled 94 points. Texas A&M, chosen second, received four first-place votes and 93 points, while Missouri came in third with 77 points and two first-place votes.

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